National Volunteer Week is Australia’s largest annual celebration of volunteering and will be held on 19-25 May.
This special event provides an opportunity to highlight the important role of volunteers in our community and invites people not currently volunteering to give it a go.
National Volunteer Week 2025 will celebrate the power of volunteering to bring people together with the theme ‘Connecting Communities’.
Volunteering creates lasting relationships that enrich lives and strengthen communities.
National Volunteer Week explores how giving to others fosters community engagement, connection and belonging.
Volunteering Australia is encouraging people across the country to acknowledge the spirit of connection and the incredible impact volunteers have in building inclusive and flourishing communities.
As the cost-of-living crisis bites, volunteers are vital in supporting our communities and helping those who are struggling in the challenging economic climate.
The wellbeing benefits of volunteering are also particularly important in challenging times.
According to a report released last year by Volunteering Australia, unmet demand for volunteers in sectors traditionally supported by the volunteering community has increased due to the ongoing impacts of the cost-of-living crisis.
People are finding it difficult to prioritise volunteering, or afford the potential costs associated, such as transport or fuel.
Volunteering Australia says a quarter (26 per cent) of young people say they don’t volunteer due to financial reasons, while just over half (54 per cent) of volunteers say they’ve incurred out-of-pocket expenses from volunteering.
Formal volunteering, where people volunteer through organisations, has gradually declined over the past 10 years as well but is still highest among people aged 40-54 years.
Informal volunteering, where people volunteer directly in the community, is significantly more common among people aged 25-39 years, and rates of online – or remote – volunteering has continued to grow in recent years, says Volunteering Australia.
CEO of Volunteering Australia Mark Pearce says people in Australia are already volunteering for a wide variety of organisations, from sport and recreation to environment and animal welfare.
“Getting involved in volunteering can be as simple as sharing your expertise and interests, helping out in your local community, or drawing on your lived experience to support others," Mr Pearce said.
"There really is a volunteer role for everyone.
“We have every reason to be optimistic despite the challenges being faced.
"We know volunteering helps people to maintain social connections and gives people a powerful sense of purpose.
"In coming together to create a thriving and effective volunteering ecosystem, volunteers are maintaining social cohesion and helping others who are struggling."
People looking to start their volunteering journey are encouraged to visit the GoVolunteer website, contact their state's volunteering peak body - in this case it's The Centre for Volunteering (NSW), www.volunteering.com.au, call 9261 3600 or email info@volunteering.com.au - or approach organisations in their local community.
Volunteering Australia is the national peak body for volunteering, working to advance volunteering in the Australian community.
It works collectively with the seven state and territory volunteering peak bodies to support volunteers across Australia.
For more information people can visit volunteeringaustralia.org.